Crews rescue two skydivers tangled in trees

Two skydivers had to be cut down from a stand of large trees Saturday afternoon after they were blown off course and landed in a forest near Mount Newton.

According to Central Saanich police, the skydivers appeared to have only minor injuries.

“One of the jumpers had a cellphone on him and was able to maintain consciousness — it was a ping that helped one of our members get to their area,” Const. Kyle Sims said.

The officer “pushed through the bush and found them way up a tree,” Sims said.

Central Saanich Fire, the B.C. Ambulance Service and search-and-rescue crews were on scene near John Dean Park.

According to Sims, an arborist from Bartlett Tree Experts helped secure the pair and get them down.

Sims estimated the two skydivers were about 20 metres up the tree.

Skydiving is popular over the Saanich Peninsula, with most skydivers targeting a landing area near Stelly’s Secondary School.